Revenge on the brain

Friday

Nov 8, 2013 at 8:27 AMNov 8, 2013 at 8:27 AM

By Phillip Morganpmorgan@hillsdale.net

For the second week in a row, the Hillsdale Hornets will take on a special foe. In round one, the Hornets renewed a crosstown rivalry with Jonesville and won, 29-14. This week they get a rematch with the Constantine Falcons, the team that ended their season in 2012."Revenge is in the back of all of our heads," senior linebacker and receiver Andrew Wilcox said.In 2012, Constantine beat Hillsdale 48-35 in the Regional Championship, and then advanced to the State Championship before losing to Ithaca.The Hornets made too many mistakes in the loss, in particular a goal line fumble. Constantine also converted on several 3rd and longs with big runs."They were very disciplined," Wilcox said. "They kept running inside. They just ran the ball down our throats."2013 is a new year with new lineups."Last year doesn't matter," Hillsdale coach Marc Lemerand said.Constantine graduated an entire backfield of hard runners in 2012, but their scheme has not changed, and their new crop of players are no less talented.Against Michigan Center last week, the Falcons won 41 to 26, and picked up nearly 400 rushing yards.Matt Hasbrouck ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns, while Taylor Reiff garnered 156 rushing yards."They run the wing-t," Lemerand said. "They run it as well as anyone in the state. They hide the ball well."The defense will have to compensate for injured lineman Pat Drews, who will be undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained against Jonesville last week."It's unfortunate," Lemerand said. "But we have had guys step up. I think they are up to the challenge."Wilcox said the defense will have to buckle down and force the Falcons into 3rd and long situations."We need to stop the inside run," Wilcox said.The Falcons finished this season 5-4, and qualified for the post season as a five-win-at-large team."A lot of the teams they lost to finished the season 8-1 or 9-0," Sophomore quarterback Martin Petersen said. "They are a really good team."With the Falcon's power-run game attracting so much attention, Petersen said he is mentally prepped for their physical defense."They are going to bring it hard off the edge," Petersen said. "We are going to have to open it up more. That puts a little more pressure on me and the receivers."2013 may be a new season, but it is safe to say that the Hornets are happy to have another crack at the Falcons."I think we are looking for a little revenge," Petersen said. "Especially some of the guys that were on the team last year."The game will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. The Hornets have home field advantage."It's awesome playing at home," Petersen said. "That definitely does help."